In a bold expansion strategy, the Kenyan digital commerce startupTappi has set its sights on the burgeoning market of the Ivory Coast. This move is a business decision and a transformative step for the region’s micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
Founded by visionaries Kenfield Griffith and Louis Majanja, Tappi has revolutionised how small businesses approach online marketing. With affordable plans starting at $8 a month, Tappi has democratised digital advertising, enabling over 150,000 businesses to establish a robust online presence swiftly.
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A Partnership with Potential
Tappi’s partnership with MTN, a telecom giant with over 15 million users in the Ivory Coast, is a game-changer. This collaboration offers MSMEs unparalleled access to enterprise-grade tools, integrating them into MTN’s data bundles and facilitating a seamless digital transition.
The startup’s impressive growth trajectory, marked by a 19% month-on-month increase, has garnered investors’ confidence, leading to a successful $1.5 million pre-seed funding round. This financial boost, led by Mercy Corps Ventures and Chui Ventures, underscores the market’s belief in Tappi’s potential.
A Catalyst for Job Creation
According to a World Bank report, MSMEs are the backbone of Africa’s employment, accounting for 60% of jobs. Tappi’s entry into the Ivory Coast is poised to catalyse job creation by equipping businesses with the tools to thrive in the digital economy.
Tappi’s expansion into the Ivory Coast marks the dawn of a new era for digital commerce in Francophone Africa. With a robust GDP growth rate and a vast consumer base, the region is ripe for digital transformation. Tappi’s innovative approach and strategic partnerships are set to empower MSMEs, driving economic growth and fostering a digitally inclusive future.
How Tappi tailor its services to different business sizes
Tappi tailors its services to different business sizes by offering a scalable and user-friendly platform that caters to the unique needs of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Here’s how Tappi adapts its offerings:
Affordable Subscription Model: Tappi provides a low-cost subscription model, starting at just $8 per month, making it accessible for businesses of all sizes1.
Simple Website Creation: The platform allows businesses to create simple, SEO-optimised websites in under 2 minutes, ideal for small businesses looking to establish an online presence quickly.
Customizable Digital Ads: Tappi offers tools that enable businesses to optimise their presence on platforms like Facebook and Google ads, which can be tailored to the size and scope of the business.
Enterprise-Grade Tools: Through partnerships with telecom companies like MTN, Tappi provides MSMEs access to enterprise-grade tools via integrated data bundles, ensuring that even the smallest businesses can benefit from high-quality digital services.
By providing these flexible and adaptable services, Tappi ensures businesses of varying sizes can leverage digital marketing tools to grow their customer base and online visibility.
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Other markets startupTappi is eyeing expansion
Tappi’s expansion plans are ambitious, with the startup looking to address similar challenges SMEs face across different regions. While specific new markets have not been detailed in the available information, the startup’s rapid growth in Kenya and Nigeria and its recent move into the Ivory Coast suggest a strategic approach to expansion in markets with vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystems and potential for digital growth among SMEs. The focus on partnering with companies like MTN indicates that Tappi may continue to target markets where such collaborations can facilitate their entry and growth.